West Brom v Swansea preview: Saido Berahino to get his chance?
Tuesday 2 February 2016 13:56, UK
With Saido Berahino set to stay at West Brom, the England U21s striker could be in line to start against Swansea on Tuesday.
Berahino was given his first start for the Baggies since late October in the FA Cup draw with Peterborough on Saturday, justifying his inclusion with a double, despite a late equaliser earning the League One side a replay at the Hawthorns.
And, with his future seemingly resolved for now, Berahino could be handed a league starting berth by Tony Pulis as his side look to get back to winning ways.
Meanwhile, Swansea have had an extended break after their third round cup exit to Oxford and picked up a win in Francesco Guidolin's first game as manager against Everton last time out.
This has given the Swans successive Premier League wins for the first time this season but they remain four points off the relegation zone and one place behind the Baggies - who currently sit in 14th.
Team news
West Brom were without Ben Foster (rib) James Morrison (hamstring), Darren Fletcher (knee) and Chris Brunt (calf) for the draw against Peterborough, and will be assessed ahead of Tuesday's game, while Callum McManaman remains out out six weeks after suffering ankle ligament damage.
New Swansea signing Alberto Paloschi could make his debut at the Hawthorns, having previously worked with Guidolin at Parma.
The 26-year-old striker, a former Italy U21s international, linked up with his new team-mates after completing his £8m move from Chievo on Friday.
Jack Cork or Ki Sung-yueng will make way following the 2-1 win at Everton eight days ago, the first time Swansea had produced back-to-back victories this season to lift themselves four points above the relegation zone.
Merson's prediction
I always think West Brom will be okay because of Tony Pulis. He's too good at what he does for them to go down. I'm not saying the players are too good, Pulis is too good. West Brom very rarely lose games when they can't afford to lose. Against Aston Villa the other week they were poor, but they did not lose. They got a point and those points add up in terms of a relegation battle.
On the other hand, Swansea have turned a corner. They rode their luck against Everton but fair play to them, they got the result. I'm backing a 1-1 draw here. I don't see West Brom losing games to the teams in and around them. Salomon Rondon can get the first goal for the hosts.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)
Opta stats
None of the nine Premier League games between Swansea and West Bromwich Albion have ended as draws (Swansea: six wins, West Brom: three wins).
Nine of the 16 goals that Swansea have scored in the Premier League against West Brom have come in the opening 25 minutes of the game (56%).
Ben Foster could make his 200th Premier League appearance in this match - he has kept a clean sheet in over a quarter of his 199 appearances so far (53).
Just 24.9% of Swansea City's passes this season in the Premier League have been played in the final third of the pitch; a league-low.
West Brom play a higher proportion of their passes long than any other side in the Premier League this season (21.7%).
West Brom are the only side yet to score a goal in the opening 15 minutes of a Premier League game this season.
Betting
West Brom are Sky Bet's 13/8 favourites for the victory with Swansea priced at 2/1 and the draw considered a 19/10 chance. With the clash bringing together the league's joint second lowest scorers, three goals or more is considered odds-against at 13/8. Salomon Rondon shares favouritism the first goalscorer betting at 11/2 with the Swans' January recruit Alberto Paloschi, while Saido Berahino is 9/4 to net anytime after seeing a deadline day move fail to materialise.
